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Captain Resigns! Stir at Foda's Kosovo

The long-serving key player is pushing for changes in the association's leadership.

Captain Resigns! Stir at Foda's Kosovo Photo: © IMAGO / DeFodi Images
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For Austria's national team, the UEFA Nations League will see a reunion with former ÖFB national coach Franco Foda.

Austria will host Kosovo on September 27 in Linz, before the clash in Pristina on October 4.

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In both matches, Foda will likely have to do without captain Amir Rrahmani. His resignation from the national team caused a major stir in Kosovan football.

Ongoing Disputes and Coordinated Attacks

"After ten years in the national team, seven of those as captain, I am informing you that I will no longer be part of the Kosovan national team as long as the current individuals lead the FFK (Football Federation of Kosovo)," the central defender, who plays for SSC Napoli, wrote on Instagram last Friday.

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Kosovos Teamchef Franco Foda und Verbandspräsident Agim Ademi.
Foto: ©IMAGO / STEINSIEK.CH

His displeasure is apparently directed at association president Agim Ademi (64). Rrahmani mentions "ongoing disputes" and a "lack of competent individuals to address our problems and complaints." The situation has not improved over the past years.

According to Rrahmani, there have been "ongoing and coordinated attacks for more than two years from those who should actually be protecting us."

Players Deny Boycott

According to media reports, other players have joined the boycott.

Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric is reportedly among them. However, the 27-year-old's father stated to the "Telegrafi" portal that Muric is currently satisfied and will honor the national team call-up.

Freiburg offensive player Florent Muslija also denied a boycott and told "Gazeta Olle" that he could not play due to injury. "If I were healthy, I would be very happy to play for my country as always. These are fabrications," the 28-year-old said about the current reports.

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You can find the original LAOLA1 article here.